How do Hatton and Rahm feel about McIlroy's U-turn? Let them tell you...
Tyrrell Hatton and Jon Rahm have both offered their verdict on Rory McIlroy's U-turn on LIV Golf players returning to the PGA Tour.
New LIV Golf signing Tyrrell Hatton expressed a desire to continue playing on the DP World Tour and PGA Tour as he and Jon Rahm offered their verdicts on Rory McIlroy's U-turn on punishments for rival league players.
McIlroy was once the PGA Tour's unofficial spokesperson who led the charge against the Saudi Arabia-backed tour.
The Northern Irishman wasn't happy with the decisions of European stalwarts such as Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia and Graeme McDowell to leave the establishment in June 2022 for astronomical sums of money.
He argued LIV players shouldn't be involved in the Ryder Cup and was once filmed laughing after hearing the news Patrick Reed had slipped even further down the world rankings.
Publicly, he traded insults Greg Norman and appeared as though he wasn't going to change his mind.
But slowly, McIlroy's stance has softened. His tune has changed and the 34-year-old admitted so before the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
He has now called for LIV players not to be punished if they wish to return to the PGA Tour.
As far as the Ulsterman is now concerned, a diminished PGA Tour and LIV Golf League is not good for anyone.
McIlroy also made the declaration any win going forward if he isn't playing against the likes of the reigning Masters champion is now cheapened.
Hatton joined LIV in a last-minute move and will make his debut in Mayakoba, Mexico, for Rahm's Legion XIII.
Asked about McIlroy's comments, the Englishman said: "Well, I've spoken to Rory a bit in the past week and back in December.
"That's kind of along the lines of what he said to me. It's not a surprise to hear him say that in the media."
Hatton added: "Ultimately, I would like to still be able to play events on the other two tours. But we'll see how all that works out."
Rahm told reporters in Mexico it was important for a player of McIlroy's calibre to acknowledge the sport is evolving.
"I haven't spoken to him a lot recently," Rahm said.
"But he might have had a change in thought process, as in maybe with some of the things he said in the past.
"I think he might be seeing that the landscape of golf is changing and at some point you need to evolve."
He added: "So I think he might be seeing that, and everybody is entitled to their opinion, but it's nice to have the support from a player the calibre of Rory, especially those Ryder Cup remarks he made early on.
"I think that's an important statement for change to be said."
Rahm was alluding to the fact McIlroy previously called on the Ryder Cup eligibility rules to be altered so the Spaniard could be considered for the 2025 contest next year at Bethpage Black.
Rahm and Hatton remain DP World Tour members and therefore are still eligible for selection.
Both players will also receive points to qualify via the major championships.
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Ben joined GolfMagic as Content Executive in September 2021 just before the Ryder Cup and has contributed significantly to the growth of the site. Ben now assumes our Content Manager role, specialising in PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf content.
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